PREMIER Daniel Andrews was in town last Friday, in part to visit the site of a social housing project being built by the State Government and Haven Foundation.<\/p>\n
Known as the North Bendigo haven, the facility is set to be complete in the next few months and will house people with mental health conditions.<\/p>\n
The Premier said he was delighted to support the project and that Haven\u2019s housing model would provide residents with a sense of autonomy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can provide people with something they\u2019ve never had before and that is independent living,\u201d Mr Andrews said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all about people\u2019s fundamental human rights, their right to reach their full potential, to be safe, to be secure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some on-site care will be provided, however the aim of the project is to support residents to live independently in long-term accommodation.<\/p>\n
Board chair of Mind, the parent organisation of Haven Foundation, Professor Allan Fels said the site is one of 11 already built with 15 additional facilities planned.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is very enlightened of the Victorian Government to give this national leadership,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cGenerally, on mental health following the Royal Commission, but also on linking housing and mental health to improve the actual lives, the daily lives of people who need help,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The project was funded through the State\u2019s Social Housing Growth fund, a grant program to provide stable housing for vulnerable people.<\/p>\n
The fund is part of the State\u2019s Big Housing Build launched in 2020 which includes a $5.3 billion spend on housing, including $1.25 billion allocated to regional Victoria.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PREMIER Daniel Andrews was in town last Friday, in part to visit the site of a social housing project being built by the State Government and Haven Foundation. Known as the North Bendigo haven, the facility is set to be complete in the next few months and will house people with mental health conditions. The […]<\/p>\n